The right thing

It is rare that we get the opportunity in our lives to be in the right place at the right time, to do the right thing. Pulaski County will have such an opportunity on November 7 when they vote on building a new middle school. Generations before us have done their duty; now it is our turn. Healthy communities understand an investment now, in our children, pays dividends in the future. They understand to become economically viable, they must offer future citizens quality schools and future industries an educated workforce.

The argument to “fix it” is 20+ years too late. The buildings are not structurally sound. For instance, in a neighboring county a gymnasium roof collapsed – luckily, on a non-school day. Taxes will have to go up regardless of what we do – fix it or build it, so let’s not dicker over the few extra dollars it will cost tax payers per month. Instead, let us be fiscally responsible with our money by paying only once. Let’s vote to build it.

Not building a new middle school will be costlier than we can imagine, and measured by something more valuable than money. By not building a new middle school we communicate a message to our children they will hear loud and clear: “You’re not worth the investment!” Politicians love education when it’s an election year – a whispering promises in educators’ ears in October, getting elected in November, and by December, forgetting their promises. But they’re in Richmond–so out of sight, out of mind. There is no such buffer here in our community.

You may think that going behind the curtain and casting your vote holds with it anonymity – no one will know whether you voted yes or no. But our children will know. Our children are watching us. The definition of trust is doing the right thing when it concerns the least among us, and especially when no one is looking. I love Pulaski County and I trust you to do the right thing.